Dive shops in Austin and Dallas

[5615mike]

Quick trip to Austin and Dallas. Won't have a great deal of time in Austin but might have a chance to look around. I just want to check out some other LDS' since I like to see what other shops have to offer. Wanting to start my cavern or cave classes and just looking around at what might be available. Not much available locally for me other than a few instructors. Called one and can't seem to get him to call me back. Getting ready to buy another computer - probably a Vyper so if I can find a decent deal I might purchase.

Texass - Great List thanks.

Diver Kat - My client is just south of Round Rock so I'll be on the north side of town. Don't know how much time I will have to mess around in Austin. I will have more time in Dallas on Friday.

SeaHunt - Definately will check out ScubaToys

Thanks to everyone for the info. Great appreciated.

 

[Zagnut]

.. Sea Hunt's recommendation. I bought most of my gear there. It's a pretty nice shop and they have really good prices. Also, it's right off I-35 at the intersection of I-35 and Royal Lane. It is in an ugly purple strip mall that sits on the south bound side of I-35. It's proximity to I-35 should make it easy for you to find. I believe their website has the address and a little map of where they're located.

 

[Wreck Wench]

5615mike once bubbled...
Wanting to start my cavern or cave classes and just looking around at what might be available. Getting ready to buy another computer - probably a Vyper so if I can find a decent deal I might purchase.

For Viper check ScubaToys he has or can get the best deals.
For tech stuff you want Southern Scuba in Arlington or Emerald Sea in Richardson. I think both are on the list you got. (Not all of them are shops....some are travel coordinators.)

(If you use Emerald Sea....tell them Wreck Wench sent you. Speak to Lamar the shop manager...he'll make you a great deal. Southern Scuba is owned by the area coordinator for TDI/SDI and he doesn't discount much if at all....but you can certainly find lots of tech gear.)

Off to Florida to dive the Keys....hope your trip to Texas is productive.

 

[Scubatooth]

there have been some good suggestions here, and i will second scuba toys, but i would also recommend blue dolphin scuba in frisco, mike tyzars is a good guy and had a good selection in the shop, and then followed by oceans window.

as for emerald sea divers they would be my last choice to go, and especially be leary of lamar.

 

[pcsanity]

SeaHunt once bubbled...
You can also try Scuba Toys while in Dallas. They do a big bunch of their business over the Internet and have much more gear in the shop then they do on their web site. They will bargain with you as well and in some cases meet or beat Leisure Pro prices. They also have a pool and provide all levels of training through NAUI.

Here is a link that has details about their location:

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/about.asp

Just for fun, check out their real-time web cam of the shop. You can pan the camera and zoom it. If you get over their be sure to smile at the camer when you walk in. Ya never know who may be watching...

I will second Scubatoys. I have done business with them via the internet several times. Also drove to Dallas to buy a new full set of gear for my wife and I. HIGHLY reccomended. You have the best of both, a LDS with a pool, and internet pricing. They are even authorized dealers for all the gear I checked.

 

[TexasMike]

Wreck Wench once bubbled...
(If you use Emerald Sea....tell them Wreck Wench sent you. Speak to Lamar the shop manager...he'll make you a great deal. Southern Scuba is owned by the area coordinator for TDI/SDI and he doesn't discount much if at all....but you can certainly find lots of tech gear.)

I want to update update some of WW's information here.

Southern Scuba is located in south Fort Worth across from the Miller Brewery (go south on I-35W, exit Alta Mesa just south of I-20, stay on service road, look to your right for red/white dive flag). Owner's name is Alec Ranck.

Alec used to be the area coordinator for TDI/SDI. Last fall he relinquished the title and responsibilities and Ron Carlo was appointed in his stead.

WW is correct in that Alec is not as likely to provide discounts or deals as other shop owners.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

I'll second Blue Dolphin.

Mike and clan are good folk.

TwoBit

 

[Debraw]

Southern Scuba is closed. They shut down about a month ago.

 

[Texass]

Tuckers Dive Shop in Grand Prairie does cave certs. They're on the list. I can vouch for Bruce & Lori's teaching ability, having taken classes with both. Plus they're really good people.

Problem is Dallas doesn't have any caves to dive. They head down to Florida for that part of the class.

 

[divindad]

check out dive west in plano. if they don't have what you need they can get almost anything for you quickly. they have a pool and excellent repair facility on site. they don't just move merchandise but will continue to stand behind it.